Acts 9:33

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

And {G1161} there {G1563} he found {G2147} a certain {G5100} man {G444} named {G3686} Aeneas {G132}, which had kept {G2621}{G1909} his bed {G2895}{G1537} eight {G3638} years {G2094}, and {G3739} was {G2258} sick of the palsy {G3886}.

There he found a man named Aeneas who had lain bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.

There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

Commentary

Acts 9:33 introduces us to a significant healing miracle performed by the Apostle Peter during his extensive ministry travels. This verse sets the stage for the powerful demonstration of God's grace and power in the early church.

Context

Following the dramatic conversion of Saul (who would become Paul), Peter embarks on a journey to visit the saints (believers) in various regions. His travels lead him to Lydda, a town located on the coastal plain of Sharon, west of Jerusalem. Here, Peter encounters a man named Aeneas. The verse highlights Aeneas's dire condition: he had been bedridden for eight years, afflicted with "the palsy," a term referring to paralysis or a debilitating neurological condition. This prolonged suffering underscores the hopelessness of his situation from a human perspective, making the ensuing miracle even more profound. This visit to Lydda marks Peter's expanded apostolic ministry beyond the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem, reaching out to scattered communities of believers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Authority: This verse, leading into the healing, showcases God's power actively working through His apostles. Peter is an instrument of divine healing, demonstrating the authority granted to the early church leaders.
  • Compassion and Ministry to the Suffering: Peter's presence in Lydda and his engagement with Aeneas exemplify the early church's commitment to caring for the sick and needy, reflecting Christ's own ministry of compassion.
  • Validation of the Gospel: Miracles like Aeneas's healing served as undeniable evidence of the truth and power of the Christian message, drawing many to faith. This event directly precedes the widespread conversion mentioned in Acts 9:35, where many turned to the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The term "palsy" in the KJV translates the Greek word paralelymenos (or related forms), which literally means "paralyzed" or "disabled." The emphasis on "kept his bed eight years" is crucial; it highlights the chronic and severe nature of Aeneas's condition, signifying a complete inability to move or care for himself. This detail amplifies the magnitude of the miracle that follows, as it was not a minor ailment but a long-standing and debilitating paralysis.

Related Scriptures

Peter's healing of Aeneas echoes earlier miraculous healings performed by Jesus, such as the healing of the paralytic let down through the roof (Mark 2:1-12), and also Peter's own previous miracle of healing the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10). These events consistently underscore the continuity of God's power and the validation of His message through signs and wonders.

Practical Application

Acts 9:33 reminds us that God is deeply concerned with human suffering and that His power is not limited by the severity or duration of an illness. It encourages believers to have compassion for those afflicted and to remember that God can work through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. This verse also serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, not just spiritually but often physically, demonstrating God's holistic care for humanity and His desire for all to come to know Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 13:16 (3 votes)

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

  • John 5:5 (2 votes)

    And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

  • Acts 14:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

  • John 9:21 (2 votes)

    But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

  • Mark 9:21 (2 votes)

    And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

  • Acts 4:22 (2 votes)

    For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

  • Acts 3:2 (2 votes)

    And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;